Magic at Bucks
THE STORY: Brandon Jennings plays at home for the first time since being passed over for the All-Star game and could be in for a mixed reaction when the Milwaukee Bucks host the Orlando Magic. The third-year guard was disappointed about not making the Eastern Conference squad and declared he was already doing his homework on big-market teams he could join after his rookie contract expires. Orlando lost to the Atlanta Hawks in overtime on Friday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida (Orlando), Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
ABOUT THE MAGIC (16-11): Center Dwight Howard picked up his eighth technical foul of the season in Friday’s loss to Atlanta. That ties Howard with Oklahoma City’s Kendrick Perkins for most in the NBA. It also is close to becoming an issue as players will draw a one-game suspension after 13 technicals due to the shorter 66-game season. Last season, Howard was called for a league-high 18 technical fouls and drew two one-game suspensions by the league.
ABOUT THE BUCKS (12-14): Drew Gooden continues to be a force after being elevated to the starting lineup after center Andrew Bogut suffered an ankle injury. Gooden had 19 points in Friday’s overtime victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers for his eighth double-digit outing in nine games. Gooden has five 20-point performances and two double-doubles during the stretch. He was a forgotten man early in the season when he was getting inconsistent minutes but is now one of Milwaukee’s most-reliable players.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Orlando has beaten Milwaukee in 10 of the past 12 meetings.
2. Jennings scored 24 points against Cleveland for his 15th 20-point outing of the season.
3. Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu is averaging just 5.5 points and shooting 21.9 percent over the past four games.